Joining Endeavors in 2020, Margarita Ochoa-Smith serves as the Director of Behavioral Health for the Endeavors Veteran Wellness Center. In addition to launching state-wide virtual care co-occurring services for VWC clients, Margarita will also oversee services that support and promote emotional freedom and transformational healing for clients.

With a desire to influence positive change, Margarita strives to afford individuals the opportunity to trust in their goodness while journeying through transformation and healing. Her extensive experience in behavioral health and leadership, coupled with a career spanning over 20 years, exhibits her commitment to improving the lives of the diverse and special populations involved in behavioral health and criminal justice.

Earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from Park University at the Fort Bliss, Texas campus and a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado’s Adams State University, Margarita’s dedication to ongoing education extends beyond the university setting. Sharing years of experience in the accreditation process by JCAHO, CARF, and ACA, she is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor, is Board Certified in the state of Texas, and is an International Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), where she has earned reciprocity in multiple countries.

Previously working in both educational and correctional settings, Margarita has personally witnessed the immense ripple effect addiction and mental health has on children, families, communities, and countries. Demonstrating an ongoing dedication to serving those combating chronic behavioral health disorders locally, nationally, and internationally, she has created, developed, and launched programming for Jail Diversion, Residential Integrated Treatment, Specialty Courts, and Trauma-Informed Outpatient Co-Occurring Programs. Additionally, she has trained and mentored team members in methodologies and processes to ensure program success and appropriate client services, including the development of culturally competent and holistic programming. Further demonstrating her expertise, Margarita has served as an expert witness in a vehicular homicide trial.

Holding multiple leadership positions in El Paso, San Antonio, and Southern Colorado, Margarita has been instrumental in establishing the first Behavioral Health Treatment Court in Southern Colorado as well as the Medicine Bear Residential Program. Additionally, her clinical programming has helped form the first Integrated Residential Treatment Program for the homeless population in Bexar County.

Having the privilege of representing the United States by invitation of the Organization of American States (OAS) thru the Inter American Commission on Drug Abuse Control (CICAD) in Cuernavaca, Mexico and Cartagena, Colombia, Margarita has served as an international consultant, sharing her expertise in social re-integration of populations impacted by trauma, mental health disorders, addiction, and anti-social behaviors.

In her spare time, Margarita enjoys doing charity work throughout her community and is active in several local civic organizations, as well as an international organization dedicated to improving economic well-being and quality of life through a commitment to community services and literacy.

Margarita cherishes time with her family and enjoys nothing more than family and friends gathering to share good food, good music, and great storytelling.

As the Director of Wellness, Kimberly Anderson acts as an advocate for wellness throughout the Endeavors organization. As a key part of her position, Kimberly helps to develop the Endeavors Wellness program both internally and for clients, equipping people with tools to enhance their own personal wellness. Additionally, Kimberly oversees all aspects of wellness for the Endeavors Veteran Wellness Center and facilitates three internal wellness events each week for Endeavors employees.
Kimberly entered into a career in public health and wellness well into her adult life. A spouse to a disabled veteran and the mother of a special needs child, she saw the need for education and advocacy in our healthcare system firsthand. Working on the development of the Veteran Wellness Center for over a year, and in her role since July 2020, Kimberly has a passion for wellness and for learning the best ways to stay healthy and heal difficult to treat conditions.
Kimberly holds a Bachelors Degree of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Disease Control from UTSA and a financial wellness trainer certification from NWI. Additionally, she teaches Emotional Freedom Technique (also known as tapping) I 9.
In her spare time, Kimberly serves as president San Antonio PFLAG chapter. She also loves to read, spend time her friends, and enjoy the company of her husband of 23 years and their three children.